When asked if schoolboy rugby players were taking banned substances bought on the internet to bulk up, Irish and Leinster rugby player Jordi Murphy said: "I think there's always going to be a bit of that, I don't think it's just for rugby. I think it's for any sport really.

"Young kids are going to think sometimes that by taking stuff, they'll improve themselves and things like that, but to be honest I think it's all just down to hard work."

The 22-year-old flanker admitted, however, that the use of protein supplements has never been forced on him or any of his colleagues.

"It's never been pushed upon anyone, I think, it was never pushed upon me.

The Irish star did concede, though, that protein supplements are a part of the rugby scene.

"It's there obviously, supplements in the professional game – nutrition is a vital part and we do a lot of weight training and it's kind of more for recovery purposes and things like that."

Both Leinster and Ireland take the issue very seriously said Murphy, making every effort to ensure banned substances don't inadvertently make their way into players' diets.

"They have professional nutritionists that are checking everything all the time making sure there's nothing dodgy in anything," he said.

Last October the Irish Rugby and Football Union (IRFU) sent a warning to their affiliated schools about banned substances being contained in supplements which can be easily purchased on the "internet and in high street stores".